"The Co-Masonic Order and the Succession of
Co-Masonry" is a short excerpt from C. W. Leadbeater's book "Glimpses
of Masonic History". It deals with Co-Masonry, a form of Freemasonry which
accepts members of both sexes. For a period, Co-Masonry was dominated by the
Adyar Theosophists, of which Leadbeater was a high-ranking member. Adyar leader
Annie Besant seems to have been the de facto leader of Co-Masonry, as well.
Leadbeater's overview of Co-Masonic history contains a few details not mentioned by Waite in his article on Co-Masonry (see my review elsewhere). Thus, Leadbeater points out that Georges Martin and Maria Desraimes were members of the same Masonic lodge, and that Martin had been a French senator!
Leadbeater skilfully points out that both men and women could be initiated into the ancient mystery cults. Since Masonry claims to be a continuation of the ancient mysteries, shouldn't it allow women to become members? Another argument makes sense only to Theosophists: reincarnation is real, and since the same soul can successively reincarnate in bodies of both sexes, it's illogical to exclude women from mystery initiations. Another concept meaningful only to Adyar Theosophists is the H.O.A.T.F. The concept is never explained in the pamphlet, but apparently Leadbeater believed (or claimed) that the Co-Masons were secretly guided by a spirit-being or ascended master known as Head Of All True Freemasons. This go-between between the Great White Lodge and Annie Besant had ordered the introduction of new rituals.
Leadbeater ends his article by claiming that the ancient mysteries are about to be restored, and that the Lord of Love will soon stage his second advent. It's unclear who the Lord of Love is - the Buddha, Maitreya or Krishnamurti?
"The Co-Masonic Order" contains little that can't be found on Wiki, and I'm not sure how to rate it. Two-and-a-half stars? People interested in the subject should probably procure Leadbeater's entire book, "Glimpses of Masonic History".
No comments:
Post a Comment